Coro Lux (“Chorus of Light”) is an auditioned community choral organization based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Coro Lux News
Dear friends of Coro Lux,
We want to THANK YOU for your ongoing support! As we close the books on our 11th season, we think you’ll agree we’ve gone through a period of tremendous artistic growth. Coro Lux is becoming an important artistic voice in the state. We reached so many artistic high points in the last 12 months it’s hard to remember without consulting the datebook. Some– but not all– of our season highlights included:
• premiering a portion of Tiguex by the Diné Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Raven Chacon;
• singing Considering Matthew Shepard in Santa Fe and Albuquerque under the direction of its composer, Grammy-winner Craig Hella Johnson, with narration by Ali MacGraw and Spencer Beckwith;
• enjoying the leadership of Phillip Shoultz on the African American choral tradition, in partnership with the United Church of Santa Fe, and including Phillip’s work with Joe Mitchell and the El Faro Youth Chorus;
• sharing a concert with UNM’s “Fervent Praise” and Del Norte High School’s “Something Major A Cappella;”
• performing the opening concert of the American Choral Directors Association regional convention;
• and giving the southwestern premiere of the Spanish-language Oceana under the baton of Dr. José Daniel Flores-Caraballo.
As we enter the summer months, with no ticket income coming in, we’re inviting you to make a tax-deductible contribution to Coro Lux today. Any size gift is welcome and fully tax deductible as allowed by law. Click the donate button here on our website to donate online, or you can mail a check to:
ABQ Coro Lux
PO Box 37081
Albuquerque, NM 87176
This season’s theme was “All of Us” and the repertoire was meant to illustrate there is no “us” and “them,” there’s only us. We believe music can be a force for moral good. It can help heal divisions and literally bring people together in harmony. Thank you for being a vital part of our musical family. Together, we can ensure that music continues to inspire and unite our community all year round.
With gratitude,
Bradley Ellingboe
Founder and Artistic Director
ABQ Coro Lux
Coro Lux Board President Keith Hinds and statue of Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis during the 2026 Chorus America Annual Conference
“Coro Lux and I have been building a relationship over the past two years, made concrete by a reciprocal exchange of ideas, influences, and musical visions that occurred over email, text, and a meal shared together with multiple cups of coffee. I had envisioned Coro Lux as the Volcano Choir in my 20-movement city-wide event Tiguex, and Coro Lux eagerly rose to the occasion, welcoming me to their choral practice to work out logistics of tone, sound, and execution. Many of the choral singers come from a classical music background, yet they were very flexible and open to my direction for my vision of the performance. The singers of the group were adventurous and had wonderful creative input; perfect collaborators that I seek for my works. During and after the event, many of the singers expressed to me that it was a meditative and spiritual experience for them, a truly breath-taking and transcendent performance unifying all peoples of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. I am extremely grateful for the beautiful expression of music and art that we created, and I look forward to working with Coro Lux in the future on a much larger, bigger project in our beautiful hometown of Albuquerque.”
Raven Chacon
Pulitzer Prize-winning Diné composer, musician, and artist
Here’s what they’re saying about our October performances of Considering Matthew Shepard:
“Coro Lux is a shining example of what choral music can be at its best: a place where artistry and humanity meet, where music becomes a path toward connection, understanding, and light. It was a joy to work closely with their gifted music director Bradley Ellingboe and these wonderful musicians. I’m grateful for their beautiful artistry and deep dedication to bringing my piece to life. It was truly a gift.”
Craig Hella Johnson
Grammy winning composer and conductor of Considering Matthew Shepard
“Coro Lux is a gift to our communities, and that I was invited to be a little part of the October performances was one of the most powerful and beautiful presents of my life. The musicians are all extraordinary, and their skills and passion and generosity are beyond inspiring.”
Ali MacGraw
Actress and activist
Announcing the new director of El Faro Youth Chorus
Joseph Mitchell
Mr. Mitchell started his musical career in Belen, New Mexico playing the trumpet in 6th grade. This led to high school marching band, choir, talent shows, and musicals. While pursuing his Bachelor of Music Education at UNM, he sang with the Men’s Chorus, Dolce Suono, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Opera Studio. He graduated in 2017 and directed the choir programs at Tres Volcanes Community Collaborative School, Tony Hillerman Middle School, and Volcano Vista High School until 2024. Joe believes everyone’s lives should be filled with musical experiences and is excited to share some of those experiences with the young singers of El Faro!
With profound respect, Coro Lux acknowledges that the city of Albuquerque where we sing is the traditional homeland of the Tiwa-speaking pueblos, and that the larger state of New Mexico is the ancestral homelands of the indigenous members of the Pueblos, Apache, and Navajo (Dine), and the adopted homeland of many other indigenous tribal members who have made New Mexico their home. Coro Lux sings for a better world, and we honor the land on which we sing and those who lived here before us.
LAND USE STATEMENT
CORO LUX STATEMENT ON INCLUSIVITY
Coro Lux is built on the ideal of “doing good as we do well.” We believe that in diversity there is strength. We believe the voices of the world should be heard, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, or sexual orientation. In the past we have used our concerts to call for peace and to benefit charitable causes, and we will redouble our efforts going forward. Through our art we sing for a better world.